quête:b soul

Tearra’s “Just Loving You” on it’s original U.S Midtown label due to its quality and desirability continues to regularly achieve four figure sale prices on the rare occasion that a copy comes on to the open market. Soul Junction through a licensing deal with Emandolynn Music first reissued this modern soul anthem back in 2017 as part of a dual 45 package that included the previously unissued Delights track “Listen To Me Girl” with the limited 500 copy pressing run selling out in a matter of days. Since then, copies of that Soul Junction release have regularly sold for circa £60 a copy with sales enquiries still being received for either side of this 45 to this day. Therefore, we at Soul Junction have decided to fulfill this continued demand by reissuing “Just Loving You” for the second this time paired with Teeah-Louise’s “You Happened To Me” as the featured flipside (reissued for the first time).

Tearra, real name Teeah-Louise a native of Mobile, Alabama was offered a recording contract by Philadelphian Record Producer/Label Owner Manny Campbell Jr during 1980. Campbell himself had relocated his Emandolynn Music operations from the city of Brotherly Love to Atlanta, Georgia some two years earlier. Campbell had planned to record a whole album on Teeah-Louise under the working title of “Great Love”. He firstly released a lead 45 single, the mid-tempo “You Happened To Me/Got To Keep You Mine” on his Coastal label logo with the artist credited as Teeah-Louise. Teeah’s fiancé didn’t share his future wife’s ambitions of a recording career and her prospective album project faltered and was never completed. Although as a further two tracks had been recorded this allowed a for second 45 release to follow “Ooh Let This Feeling (Last A Long, Long Time)” backed with the desirable “Just Loving You” these were released on the Midtown label, with Midtown by then being Coastal Records main record distributor. This second release was credited under the artist name of Tearra, due to Teah-Louise by now not wishing to use her real name. Both the Coastal and Midtown releases were only ever pressed in 500 promotional copies runs. Teeah-Louise left the recording business for good soon after her marriage.

In addition, a later 12” Coastal Records single issued on the group ‘Tomorrows Wish’ featuring the song “My Love For You” which shares the same backing track as Tearra’s “Just Loving You”. All four of Teeah-Louise’s songs were wrote by Manny Campbell, with Manny sharing the songwriting credits on “Ooh Let This Feeling (Last A Long, Long Time)” with his cousin, Keith “Toppie” Hill notably a former group member of the aforementioned ‘Delights’.

The legendary UK acid-jazz innovators Brand New Heavies dropped many a classic sounds and none more so than their iconic album 'Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1. More than three decades after first release it remains an influential work that blends UK club jazz with US hip-hop. Featuring collaborations with artists like Main Source, The Pharcyde, Gang Starr, and Black Sheep, the album marked a groundbreaking fusion of genres back in its heyday and now two standout tracks from the album, 'Soul Flower' featuring The Pharcyde and 'It's Gettin' Hectic' featuring Gang Starr make their way to 7" for the first time and sounds as good as ever.

Soul Brother Records present two rare Scepter/Wand disco classics on one limited edition 12” single for Record Store Day Bobby Moore was a singer, musician and bandleader from New Orleans. He worked as a writer and arranger from the 1960s to 1980s, “(Call Me Your) Anything Man” one of only a handful of solo 7” single releases. The 12” version has never been commercially released before, it’s prior existence in this format has only been on acetate. Legend has it that the one acetate was cut at the time because when Tom Moulton mastered the record in 1975, the studio had run out of 7” parts so made it a 12”. The quality sounded so good the 12” single was born!
Sweet Music were the vocal trio who sang background vocals with KC & The Sunshine Band. This is one of the few records ever remixed by West End legend Mel Cheren.

Mark Broom and CJ Baker team up as Kingpin Cartel on Rekids for the The ‘Long Dark Soul Of The Night’ EP

Kingpin Cartel, Mark Broom and CJ Baker’s joint House alias debuts on Rekids this November with the ‘Long Dark Soul Of The Night’ four-tracker. The EP starts with the title track, a playful, funk-fuelled cut with squelchy licks and soulful keys. Next, Kingpin Cartel’s ‘Moonrise’ leads with strong percussion that lay underneath a smooth swinging piano riff. ‘You Are’ then dives deep, perfectly blending emotive synth chords with an undeniably weighty house beat before ‘Shakedown’ closes the ‘Long Dark Soul Of The Night’ EP with a quirky synth line and an infectious bassline that firmly keeps it old-school.

Mark Broom is a UK dance music legend with releases on labels like Warp, M-Plant, and Hardgroove. He returns to Rekids as one of its core artists, joining CJ Baker, a producer known for EPs on Innervisions, Emissions Lo-Fi, Well Rounded, and many more. Founded in 2005, their Kingpin Cartel alias has released on Nic Fanciuli’s Saved Records as well as Mark Broom’s Rewired, Pure Plastic, and Beardman imprints, now landing on Radio Slave’s flagship label with the ‘Long Dark Soul Of The Night’ EP.

A 2020 cover by a UK soul/jazz unit is now available on a 7-inch record!

It is the first time released as a 45 single in analogue, it was on the compilation double album 『Soul Togethereness 2020』 on a (track 3 side D 33rpm) Expansion Records LP EXP 62.

The UK soul/jazz crossover unit, formed in 1993, has released a cover of Melba Moore's classic song, which was only available on CD and digital in 2019, for the first time on analog.

Paprika Soul, a unit by Alan Barnes and Andrew Spiller, who have left many great works in the UK soul/jazz scene, has welcomed female singer Jacqui Hicks. This cover, with its uplifting and beautiful melody, features a warm, lovely, and urban Side A, and a more beat-driven, refreshing Side B Disco House Mix that would lift the mood on the dance floor in the early morning. This release is another excellent cover work that lets you indulge in smooth and Balearic sounds.

LRK Records is excited to announce their next special limited edition 45 by Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers. Due to high demand from DJs and fans alike, we're bringing the in-demand 'Soul Clap' (Radio Edit) to 7". The most streamed track from their album of the same name, this radio edit condenses the energy of the original, which runs over 7 minutes, into an electrifying 3 minutes and 54 seconds. The A-side will be revealed soon, with a special track announcement coming in the next few weeks.

Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers, originally from Chicago and now based in Los Angeles, are known for their dynamic fusion of 60s/70s soul and funk. Fronted by the Grammy Award-winning Bella Brown, who embodies the power of Tina Turner and Sharon Jones, they channel the fierce spirit of 70s Blaxploitation icons. Backed by The Jealous Lovers, they offer a fresh, modern twist on traditional soul and funk with high-energy live performances.

'Soul Clap' is a dance floor-ready track with Bohannon-style rhythms and James Brown-inspired funk. It's a celebration of the communal energy shared between musicians and audience, perfect for DJs looking to bring the party to life

The new single, "Always Christmas Eve" is an instant holiday classic. The song pays tribute to the band's Chicago soul roots and is produced in their signature style. This original composition offers a modern take on classic soul, featuring real instruments, genuine performances, and authentic artistry. True to the tradition of Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers, the song carries a meaningful message: "Always Christmas Eve" shares a hopeful message of Christmas joy in an imperfect world, highlighting the goodness in all of us, and reminding us that we can embody the loving spirit of Christmas in any season, even during challenging times.

"Always Christmas Eve" drops digitally November 15, 2024 and will also be released, through LRK Records, as a special edition 7' colored vinyl 45. The 45's B-side features the group's "Soul Clap - radio edit". A funky dance track, which was digitally released as a preview to their Soul Clap LP, and is now making its vinyl debut. The radio edit has already racked up tens of thousands of streams and received extensive airplay across Europe, North America, South America, and Japan.

So Happy Holidays from LRK Records and Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers!!

Grey/silver coloured vinyl 45

A pleasure to present the second ep of Purveyance, Galicia based record label.
A1 A2 Linear System, Return with Strong tracks hypnotic with raw vocals.
B1 B2 Soul Lazh, Forcefull winding synth lines focused for dancefloor.
Four weapons for proper big room Techno.

OPAZ - TO BE LOVED b/w HOLDING YOU TIGHT

IZIPHO SOUL are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Ray Hayden’s OPAZ.

TO BE LOVED reawakens the soulful sounds of the 70s with a classic rare groove revival. This gem of a tune promises to transport listeners back to an era where music was defined by deep grooves, rich instrumentation and soulful vocals.

The flip HOLDING YOU TIGHT takes the tempo down for a slice of ethereal sweetness that meanders into your mind - worth noting is the sublime instrumental ending.

Mixed and mastered on vintage equipment by the maestro himself Ray Hayden, the transmission onto vinyl has enabled these songs to reach their sonic destination!

Despite their early success, The Valentinos’ story was, like many other groups, a ‘what might have been’ story. But there could not have been a more hardworking group. Every night, Friendly Womack Sr. taught his boys all the gospel songs he knew before he kicked them out of the house because they wanted to switch to secular singing.
“Bobby, you’re singing too church!” shouted Sam Cooke across the recording desk at the United Recording Studios in L.A. to Bobby and his brothers…
Still torn here between gospel and secular singing, Friendly “June” Womack told me about both these two lost tracks from the group: “Between you and I, we were looking hard to get another ‘Looking For A Love’. We were desperate for that, as that was such a big seller for us”.
Ultimately these sides failed to be released, yet they were both great tracks. Wouldn’t it be great though if, this time around, Soul4Real Records were able to hang out the ‘sold out’ banner that all the Womack brothers really deserved?

Kashmere Stage Band was formed in the 1960s and was made up of students from Kashmere High School and group leader Conrad O. Johnson. Bumper-To-Bumper Soul is their second album, and it was recorded between 1969 and 1970. The record, which like all their others was only pressed in small quantities and sold locally in Houston, Texas, so is hard to find but much in demand, is an extension of the high school group's debut album, but with a high percentage of groovy jazz funk, covering well-known songs in their now fast funk style.

Expansion’s most successful and longest running compilation series returns with its 2020 collection. It’s the 20th Anniversary edition. The concept remains, the tracks better than ever, fifteen must-have modern soul room gems telling the story of the past 12 months. Tracks here have topped UK soul charts including many that have not been available in all formats. Participants this year include Charlie Wilson (biggest dancefloor spin before lockdown), Tower of Power, Will Downing, Randy Hall, JB Rose The Weather Girls, and Sam Wills all prolific on soul radio through the summer with other artists delivering signature songs of 2020. Then there’s the biggest revival track of the year from Johnny Baker, “It’s Your Night”, the 300 copy limited edition 7” pressing now exchanging hands upwards of £50 a copy.

THE SOUL BROTHERS SIX hailed from Rochester, New York and have played a part on the Northern Soul scene for over 50 years. Their first recording, for 'Lyndell' Records in 1966, is now a 3-figure rarity, but it is their debut disc for Atlantic, I'll Be Loving You', that first graced the decks at the Twisted Wheel, The Pendulum et al and has become a perennial Northern Soul favourite. At the time of release tt was the B-side to Some kind Of Wonderful' which took the disc to No.91 on the R&B charts.
WILLIE TEE has also been a familiar figure on the rare soul scene since the early Mod clubs with his architypal New Orleans mid tempo soul sound. His early recordings on 'Gatur' rank as some of the most collectable 45s to emanate from the Crescent City. Here we feature his club classic from 1964, the anthemic Walkin' Up A One Way Street'.

After a short hiatus LNTG is back with Vol 4 of his Soul Cut series, adding his magic touch to 3 classic cuts. A must have!

Soul Jazz Records’ new collection, ‘Electro Throwdown - Sci-Fi Inter-Planetary Electro Attack on Planet Earth 1982-89’, is a journey into the outer reaches of electro, a galactic roller-coaster ride of turbo-charged sci-fi grooveology.
The album is comprised of mainly private-press and independent label electro jams of the highest calibre (with some as rare as space ships landing on Mars) all created in the 1980s, at a time when a vocoder, a Roland TR-808 drum machine and a groove was all that was needed to get the party started.
With a few notable exceptions (Michael Jonzun’s Jonzun Crew and The Packman) the album features mainly under-the-radar killer tracks from a host of one-off artists and back-room electronic pioneers – including Pretty Tony, Planet Detroit (James McCauley, aka Maggotron) and Rich Cason – who together helped shape the sound of electro across the USA from Miami to New York, Los Angeles and beyond during the 1980s.
This album is released on super-loud double vinyl, packaged in a gatefold sleeve complete with full sleeve notes (from Derek Walmsley of The Wire), plus download code and digital.